More than 100 artists in and around Abingdon are part of a group of 1,000 artists and designer-makers who are preparing to turn the whole county into a giant art gallery for the Oxfordshire Artweeks 40th anniversary in May (7-29). With 30 venues in a six-mile radius open over a ten-day period, there’s ever so much to see.
You are invited to visit artists’ open studios and pop-up exhibitions – all for free – in these interesting and welcoming venues where you’ll find paintings, photos, sculpture, pottery, woodcarving, jewellery and more. Not only that, but you’ll also have the chance to talk to the makers about their methods, materials, and their inspiration. Just drop in, no appointment necessary.
Ten Venues in Abingdon
Simon Barber
(Artweeks venue 178) The Tipsy Mercer, 22 High Street
Intrigued by the places and inhabitants around him which he says provide an inexhaustible supply of inspiration, Abingdon newcomer Simon presents a series of beautiful paintings.
Runs 14-15 and 17-22 May, from noon until late at weekends and from 4pm weekdays.
Caroline Harben and Sandra Hoeft
(Artweeks venue 179) St Ethelwold's House, 30 East St Helen Street
Over in St Ethelwold's House, two landscape artists – Caroline Harben and Sandra Hoeft – present their different visions and means of execution in this historic exhibition space.
14-16 and 20-22 May, 11am-4pm on weekdays and until 5pm at weekends.
The Abbey Group
(Artweeks venue 180) St Nicolas Church, Market Place
You can once again see the Abbey Group and their inspired paintings and creative glass by five talented local artists, including a series of Italian travels by Dougie Simpson.
16-21 May, 10am-5pm.
The Peach Croft Farm Artists
(Artweeks venue 183) Peach Croft Farm Barn, Twelve Acre Drive, OX14 2HP
Another popular group showing lively art including paintings, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, silver, and jewellery in a stunning old barn. Never been before? It’s worth it just for the building! Don’t miss out on their daily demos at 2pm.
14-22 May, 10am-5pm.
Excitingly, there are a number of new faces opening their studios and sharing their art throughout the town this year. Look out for…
Dominique Walravens
(Artweeks venue 182) 24 Welford Gardens, Abingdon, OX14 2BW
Flora, fauna, faries and fungi: when the natural world meets the supernatural.
13-21 May, 10am-5pm.
Kay Gibbons
(Artweeks venue 185) 32 Hedgemead Avenue OX14 2NJ
Colourful glasswork: ceramic sculptures, drawings/paintings, prints and cards. Also worth visiting for a cuppa, cake and a warm welcome.
14-22 May, 12pm-6pm.
Iain and Nikki Shield
(Artweeks venue 186/187) 13 The Chestnuts, OX14 3YN
Iain and Nikki Shield are showing stoneware ceramics thrown and fired by Shield Studio Pottery. These have simple glazes, minimal decoration, and earth tones. Alongside this, browse paintings of abstract landscapes, objects of interest and typographic prints.
14-15 and 20-22 May, 11am-6pm.
Oxford Wood Recycling
(Artweeks venue 176) Suffolk Way, Abingdon OX14 5JX
Ten Trees to Treasure: a closer look at our native trees, their history and use.
7-29 May (closed Sundays), 9.30am-5.30pm (Sat 9am-3pm).
HEAD NORTH
Alan Franklin
(Artweeks venue 191) 14 Dark Lane, Sunningwell, OX13 6RE
A studio exhibition of recent drawings, sculptures and works on paper.
14-16 and 20-22 May, 1pm-6pm.
Sunningwell School of Art
(Artweeks venue 190) The Old School, Sunningwell, OX13 6RD
Exciting and adventurous work from students across all classes in painting, drawing, pottery, and sculpture.
28, 29 and 30 May, 12noon-6pm.
Amanda Benstead
(Artweeks venue 192) 15 Robinson Road, Wootton, OX1 5LE
Amanda Benstead welcomes you to see the variety of processes, mediums, and materials she uses to produce an eclectic mix of 3D and 2D work.
14-15 and 17-22 May, 11am-6pm.
Hannah Vickery
(Artweeks venue 194) 2B Hurst Lane, Cumnor, OX2 9PR
Abstract and semi-abstract experimental mixed media paintings inspired by nature and literary sources.
14-15 and 21-22 May, 1pm-5pm.
Sarah Bond and Annabel Jolly
(Artweeks venue 195/196) 1 Abingdon Road, Cumnor, OX2 9QN
In light bright airy Archangel Studio, see Sarah Bond’s colourful, contemporary paintings inspired by the sea and renewable energy alongside decorative shellwork mirrors and pictures by Annabel Jolly.
14-15 and 20-22 May, 11am-5pm.
Judith Scott
(Artweeks venue 197) 80 Appleton Road, Cumnor, OX2 9QH
Judith Scott presents an exhibition ‘Witness to silence’ capturing Oxford 2020 in fifty stunning small paintings plus other works in oils, inks, and soft metals.
14-15, 18 and 20-22 May, 10am-5pm (or by appt).
David Williams and Sue Side
(Artweeks venue 198/199) 39 Robsart Place, Cumnor, OX2 9QT
David Williams and Sue Side pair sculpture for home and garden in limestone, slate, serpentine, and gold with detailed inkwork, drawings & etchings in an airy studio and garden.
14-15, 18 and 20-22 May, 11am-5pm.
HEAD EAST
Lizzie and Susan Wheeler
(Artweeks venue 188) 115 Lower Radley OX14 3BA
In Lower Radley, mother and daughter printmakers Lizzie and Susan Wheeler invite you to see colourful and stylised linocuts and monoprints based on natural forms and places, both real and imagined.
14-22 May, 11am-6pm.
Jon Rowland
(Artweeks venue 189), Sewell Centre Gallery at Radley College
Jon Rowland explores the highs and lows of the last two years in an exhibition of painting Recollections of Place.
14, 17, 19 and 21 May, 1pm-5pm (or by appt).
Charlotte Storrs
(Artweeks venue 175) 8 The Green, Culham, OX14 4LZ
On the other side of the river, in Culham, Charlotte Storrs shows crisp white wheel-thrown functional pottery in a beautiful secret garden close to the Thames.
By appointment only, 14-22 May
Susan Ganney
(Artweeks venue 173) Musbury Croft, Watery Lane, Clifton Hampden, OX14 3EJ
Just beyond, there’s an exciting new collection of contemporary mixed media paintings of landscape and the natural world by Susan Ganney in Clifton Hampden.
14-15 and 20-22 May, 11.30am-4.30pm
Jane Duff, Liz Gascoigne, and Becky Garrett
(Artweeks venue 169)
(Artweeks venue 170) The White House & Clumps Orchard Barn Little Wittenham, OX14 4RE
See landscapes of Oxfordshire, Snowdonia and the west coast by Jane Duff and contemporary paintings by Liz Gascoigne, with porcelain & stoneware pottery by Becky Garrett exhibited in a beautiful barn gallery – it’s a great place to stop for tea and cake as well as art!
14-15 and 18-22 May, 11am-6pm
Sylva Wood Centre
(Artweeks venue 171) Sylva Wood Centre, Little Wittenham Road, Long Wittenham, OX14 4QT
Just up the road the Sylva Wood Centre promises all things wood from a community of people who and design and make in wood and related crafts.
14-15 May, 10am-5pm
Clare Owen and Nandi Ablett
(Artweeks venue 172) 42 Little Wittenham Road, Long Wittenham, OX14 4QS
Nearby, there’s a mix of hand-built decorated jars, plates, and small items, such as egg cups, showing images from nature and travels by Clare Owen & Nandi Ablett.
14-15 and 19-22 May, 11am-5pm (Thu-Fri 2-5pm)
HEAD SOUTH
Carolyn Hawkes
(Artweeks venue 174) The Gallery Upstairs, 28 Lammas Land, Drayton, OX14 4GG
In Drayton, Carolyn Hawkes is showing colourful paintings: pathways through the landscape, maps, and labyrinths: a variety of abstract and naturalistic works.
14-15 and 19-22 May, 11am-6pm
Sarah Keogh, Karen Lewis and Debbie Sutcliffe
(Artweeks venue 227), Chestnuts, School Lane, Milton, OX14 4EQ
You can also see beautifully crafted ceramics with linocuts and wood engravings by Sarah Keogh, Karen Lewis and Debbie Sutcliffe in a glorious garden setting.
14-22 May, 12pm-6pm
Sally Stern, Sophie Long and others
(Artweeks venue 491) 140 Eastern Avenue, Milton, OX14 4SB
And for something simply buzzing, then head to Bee House, Milton Park for Bees in the Meadow: a varied exhibition of colourful paintings and drawings featuring Sally Stern, Sophie Long & others in new contemporary co-working space with café.
16-20 May, 11am-5pm
HEAD WEST
Pip Stacey and Veronica Dudley
(Artweeks venue 177) Pear Tree Cottage, 7 Packhorse Lane, Marcham, OX13 6NT
In the heart of Marcham, Pip Stacey of Feathered Glass teams up with ceramicist Veronica Dudley to present a selection of abstract, functional, and figurative glass and ceramic pieces for the home and garden, set in a beautiful garden with spacious workshop.
14-15 and 18-20 May, 11am-6pm
Rosie Taylor, Debbie and Izzie Martin
(Artweeks venue 200) The Elms, Fyfield, OX13 5LR
And for a last cracking exhibition to explore, head a little further along the A415 to see Rosie Taylor, Debbie and Izzie Martin who share their talents for still life, landscape painting and printing in complementary styles.
14-15 and 21-22 May, 11am-5pm
For more details on these venues or to browse an online art showcase, visit artweeks.org
